Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

News

Book Review

Obituaries

Salaam and grace in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and greetings from Jerusalem.

Thanks to the many who have kept us in their prayers and who have shared their gifts and worldly benefits with us at this time. We have been able to use those gifts to help some 400 families in need and to keep some of our institutions, such as St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus, in the service of others.

Despite the dismal situation at this time, we celebrated Easter at St. George’s Cathedral with a full church. The Easter Mass summed up a week of services that included foot washing on Maundy Thursday, a walk along the Via Dolorosa with our Lutheran brothers and sisters on Good Friday, and a candlelight vigil of Holy Fire on Saturday. Though some of our West Bank clergy could not attend because of Israeliimposed curfews, several of our priests renewed their vows at a Chrism Mass at the Cathedral on the morning of Maundy Thursday. Throughout the week, Arabic-speakers and English-speakers worshipped together, each in their mother tongue.

Visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury

We were particularly blessed to have His Grace, the Most Revd Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, visit with us, deliver the sermon and co-celebrate the Eucharist on Palm Sunday.

He took time to meet with the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem and addressed them with a letter he wrote to Christians in the Middle East.

Though the visit was short, we greatly appreciated His Grace’s presence at this time, and we look forward to more extended visits in the future.

Archbishop Rowan Williams at St George's Jerusalem with (left) his chaplain the Revd Andrew Norman, and (right) Bishop Riah and acting dean Yazeed Said

Reasons for grief

In the midst of this season of celebration, we still have much reason for grief. The situation in Iraq continues to be troublesome. Though some think that the war is over with Iraq, the Israelis also believed that the so-called Six Day War was over in 1967. However, peace is not the cessation of hostilities or the absence of war. Peace is that relationship that rises after all causes that lead to war are made normal.

We continue to express concern about the innocents in Iraq and in Palestine who have been caught up in the fighting. We are greatly saddened by the scenes of those Palestinians, who sought refuge in Iraq for many years, being expelled and having to live in tents again. If this says anything, it says Palestinians have no homeland except Palestine.

There is much talk about weapons of mass destruction, but as yet, no evidence has been presented to the international community. There is not even conclusive evidence in regards to those accused of the 9/11 attacks. Thus, the true objects of the attack in Iraq must be placed on the table so that all may know the truth.

On a personal note, our family has experienced grief of our own, as we have mourned the loss of my brother, Kamal, last month. He had suffered from cancer for some time. Though we mourn his loss here on earth, we praise God for the fact that he finally is at rest and peace. Thank you to all who have sent their condolences during this particularly difficult time.

St Philip's Gaza

We have yet to hear an apology or an explanation from the Israeli military forces concerning the January bombing of St. Philip’s Chapel in Gaza, and we have received no indication that they will provide compensation for the damage they have done. Nevertheless, we are picking up the pieces, starting the painstaking work of repairing the church with our own funds.

Many thanks to all who have prayed for this situation, and sent contributions.

St Matthew's Zababdeh

St. Matthew’s Church continues to exist without a priest, as Israeli officials have refused to issue residence permits to our priests who serve that region. The people of Zababdeh, which stands between Jenin and Nablus, continue to suffer much in the way of closures and curfews imposed by Israeli forces.

Armenian Genocide commemorated

During a recent visit to Beirut, I had the privilege and honour to take part in a service at the Armenian Cathedral, presided by His Grace Catholicos Aram. The service commemorated the Armenian Genocide of 1915, in which some one and a half million Armenians were killed by the Turks.

During the same visit, an informal gathering and reception at All Saints’ Episcopal Church attracted 120 members of the congregation, where I made a presentation on present day concerns in this volatile region.

Continuing Intifada

It has been 960 days from today since the Intifada began, the object of which is to turn the attention of the international community to the plight of the three and a half million Palestinians – Muslims and Christians alike – under the illegal Israeli occupation. It also was intended to remind all concerned that inasmuch as the United Nations pressed Iraq to comply with its resolutions, it is time for the same United Nations to pressure Israel to comply with resolutions related to Palestine, unless it is a hostage to the US administration’s veto.

As the Church, we are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. As St. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:19, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” This endeavour to reconcile parties in conflict in no way sets aside the search for justice. For the Church to be able to change the course of human history for the sake of all created by the same one God, it cannot keep its eyes closed to the injustices done by some Christians, too often in the name of God.

We are concerned about the credibility of the Church as a result of the behaviour of some Christians, especially some of those on the political right. Furthermore, we are concerned about the way the image of Christ is being damaged and distorted by such groups, who are not only misled but are misleading.

We pray that the tarnished image of Christ will be recovered in this region, with Christians throughout the world making a renewed effort to seek peace and justice for all.

I pray you all have a blessed Christmas Season; know that this comes with my prayers and best wishes, in Christ,

Riah